The nature and scope of patient-sharing network research: a novel, important area for network science

Abstract

A robust literature exists that draws on social network approaches to understand connections among individuals, and healthcare and behavior-related implications. This article offers commentary on the scoping review conducted by Dugoff et al. that examines "patient-sharing" networks, their characteristics, and various methodological approaches. The scoping review conducted by Dugoff et al. examines the characteristics and methods employed in patient-sharing network studies. It identified the most common measures used in patient-sharing network research, as well as theories used in patient-sharing network studies. Dugoff et al. also identified many studies that examined healthcare utilization considerations for patient sharing. Understanding the connections between providers and the flow of patients between providers could lend insight into barriers and enablers to efficient healthcare systems.